Pumking Carving Traditionalists

If you’re traditional like me, you’d love to get your little ones into the old-school stick a candle in a carved out pumpkin carved Jack. Now-adays with fire and so many saftey concerns… boy, I guess I’ll stick a flickering battery-operated candle in Jack (as in Jack-o-Lantern)! But here are some great ideas for modern spins, ultra-safe for parties and for my traditional folks with a younger crowd!

these photos are from a great article by Safe-wise! Read more tips. We highly recommend at CityLive!

More Free low-cost CityLive Halloween party ideas from our experts!

As the spookiest time of year approaches, it's time to start planning your Halloween festivities (around beginning of September may even be late!). However, hosting a party doesn't have to break the bank or stress your schedule.

Consider embracing DIY decor …

Carving pumpkins (safety tips with small children link above), paint a pumpkin with your Toddler, or set up soft play options for Littles (stickers, felt, craft glue),

creating ghostly silhouettes,

or stringing up twinkling fairy lights on black material purchased at a fabric or “box-store” like Walmart.

Tip: Get supplies like this during the week, before 2pm for the easiest fastest service and guaranteed someone will be available to cut fabric! Check Discount Bins first!

Encourage guests to come in costume and offer prizes for the most creative ensembles.

You can get PLENTY of cute age-appropriate prizes at Dollar Tree, Target Clearance, and Walmart Clearance Aisle and please email us if we left out a good source! We even have bought cases of $1 Hot Wheels at Acme Grocery! Marshalls is AMAZING for learning toys, books, and other specialty gifts.

Want to do 1-2 big special prizes?

Keep it generic and go “used” on Offer Up, Craigslist, or Ebay for IPads, Mini Bouncy Castles or Crowns. Make the time to buy early the longer you wait, those Amazon Prize packages will go up in cost or won’t get to you in time! I would avoid Etsy! Unless you have a trusted source!

For added entertainment…

Organize a Halloween-themed movie marathon, host a costume contest, or challenge partygoers with spine-tingling trivia with video & audio clues! By focusing on creating a fun, festive atmosphere rather than extravagant displays, you can throw an unforgettable Halloween celebration on a budget.

Great all-ages Halloween Movies

You can also have movies projected on the wall, or running in the background with the sound off for added ambiance!

• 'Hocus Pocus' Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection. ...

• 'Beetlejuice' ...

• 'Don't Look Under the Bed' ...

• 'The Addams Family' ...

• 'Halloweentown' ...

• 'Ghostbusters' ...

• 'Twitches' ...

• 'The Haunted Mansion'

• Charlie Brown’s It’s the Great Pumpkin (Great shorter film)

• The Nightmare Before Christmas (older kids)

• Monsters Inc

• here’s 55 more!

Great parties have delicious food, great music, and social bonding activities like a game! That’s it. That’s all you need!

If you have the budget hire a professional DJ, Karaoke, or seasoned Entertainers, let that be the icing on your purple and orange Halloween Cupcakes! Planners will make sure it’s an unforgettable night. Best part about it? You get to let them do their job. Know what is a must-have, your MAX budget for their services, and tell them = you and guests get to show up and have a good time! Be reasonable. It ALWAYS costs more than you think it does!